Marc Manson,
president of the Jewish
Genealogical Society,
participates in a tree
dedication ceremony at
Beth Olem Cemetery.

More than 150 people gathered at Beth Olem Cemetery
to honor the dead and their stories, our Jewish legacy.

SHARON LUCKERMAN
Editorial Assistant

T

he only way to get to
Beth Olem, a tiny 140-
year-old Jewish ceme-
tery, is through the
high-security fences and gates of
the General Motors-Cadillac
Assembly Plant in Hamtramck.
GM, the largest corporation in
the world, now is guardian to
Beth Olem, one of the oldest
Jewish cemeteries in the metro-
politan area. Purchased in 1861,
the last burial at Beth Olem hap-
pened in 1948. The deaths
recorded in its 2.2 acres trace flu
epidemics, the first and second
World Wars, and may also
include Jews who fought in the
Civil and Spanish American wars.
West Bloomfield's Milton
Marwil, 90, of the Jewish
Historical Society of Michigan,
reflected on the history of this
"green island inside a vast con-
crete parking lot." He spoke Sept.
24 during a special memorial
service at Beth Olem.
Marwil said the formation of
the cemetery came about from a
split between German Reform
and Eastern European Orthodox
Jews in 1861. The Orthodox
adherents later established
Congregation Shaarey Zedek and

started their own burial ground,
he said.

Rediscovering History

On this crisp autumn day, the
memorial service attracted 150
people.
"I haven't been here in 70
years," said Don Pearl, 78, of
Farmington Hills. His mother,
whose father was buried here, had
brought him as a child.
His wife, Lois Pearl, added,
"I'm looking to see if my father's
family is here, but I haven't found
them yet."
Ten years ago, Pam Gordon of
Orchard Lake, event chairperson
and activist with the Jewish
Genealogical Society of
Michigan, decided to introduce
more people in the Jewish com-
munity to the cemetery she had
learned about from her grand-
mother. Other organizations,
including GM, Shaarey Zedek,
JHS and JGS, got involved in
tending the grounds, repairing
destroyed or weathered tomb-
stones, and researching the
gravesites.
"This is a very special service,"
said leader Rabbi Steven Weiss of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek on
Sunday. Not only is it important
to honor those buried at Beth

Olem, he said, but also to
Beth Olem before. "My hus-
acknowledge the importance of
band's family is buried here," said
the stories each person left
Mrs. Katzer, who lost her hus-
behind.
band 28 years ago. "His grandfa
"Each of the 1,400 people
ther's here."
buried here built and
Katzer remem-
shaped our city," he
bered her father-
said. "Each has a
in-law saying that
story that impacts on
when he came to
our lives."
Detroit, Grand
People were visi-
Boulevard was
bly moved by the
mud and
ceremony that
McKinley was
included the
president.
Kaddish sung by
"This brings
Shaarey Zedek
back history I
Cantor Charles
haven't thought of
Goren; a tree dedi-
for a while," Mrs.
cation ceremony,
Katzer added, tears
assisted by JGS
in her eyes.
Pam Gordon, ev ents
President Marc
Her daughter,
chairwoman, welcomes
Manson; and a
also tearful, agreed.
visitors to Beth Olem.
candle-lighting cer-
"It's been very
emony.
moving," she said.
As buses left the cemetery, the
cylindrical towers of the
Feelings Aroused
Renaissance Center and the
"It was a wonderful ceremony,"
downtown Detroit skyline rose in
said Janet Landsberg of
the distance. Closer still, 382
Southfield, who's been to the
acres of GM's modern industrial
cemetery on numerous occasions.
complex stretched across what
"It's nice not to come here
were once thriving neighbor-
alone."
hoods. Only Beth Olem remains.
Sydelle Katzer, 74, of Royal
Yet one wonders if this concrete
Oak came with her daughter
and metal fortress will last even
Faith Nemeth, 41, of West
half as long as Beth Olem, the lit-
Bloomfield. Neither had visited
tle Jewish cemetery, and the pow-

9/29
2000

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